McTimoney Animal Manipulation

McTimoney animal manipulation is named after John McTimoney, the man who developed the technique back in the 1950s. Initially the treatment was designed for humans, but John McTimoney found it was so effective and had so many benefits that he developed and adapted the technique to suit animals. McTimoney animal practitioners have now been helping animals for over forty years. The McTimoney College is the only institution in Europe, which offers a validated course for training in animal manipulation techniques.

It is essential that practitioners are properly trained and qualified in animal techniques in order to provide such treatment and that veterinary consent is given prior to treatment.

The technique is based on the philosophy that the body has an innate ability to heal itself and centres around spinal and nervous system biomechanics in an attempt to rebalance, realign and restore biomechanic and neurologic function, allowing the body to function correctly to restore health, maintain soundness and improve performance.

The spinal column consists of a series of movable bones called vertebrae. The horse's spine is a fairly rigid structure in comparison with that of the human or dog (the majority of movement is in the neck and lumbar region). The spinal cord runs through the centre of the spinal column and many pairs of nerves emerge from the cord and exit between the vertebrae where they branch out and form a network around the entire body. Nerve impulses travel from the brain via the spinal cord and nerves and out to every living cell of the body. Messages also travel back to the brain via the nervous system. The nervous system controls the functioning of the whole body and affects immune, endocrine, cardiovascular, alimentary and many other systems. It is therefore imperative that this information system is not impaired in either direction or its functionality restricted in any way in order for the whole body to function correctly.

Sometimes, joints between adjacent vertebrae become fixed as a result of muscle spasm or scar tissue development, thereby restricting their normal range of motion. This is termed a subluxation or misalignment. (A luxation occurs when movement of the joint exceeds its normal range of motion and is a contraindication for manipulation). Sometimes a misalignment can cause pressure on the nerves. Nerves are extremely sensitive and even the slightest pressure can affect communication. When a nerve is under pressure it becomes swollen and will eventually atrophy. This reduces signal conduction and symptoms become evident.

The illustration shows a misalignment of a vertebra from the one above and the one below causing nerve impingement in the human spine. Characteristics of a misalignment are: • Reduced motion of joints between vertebrae • Nerves may be trapped or impinged • Pain on pressure of vertebrae (local or may radiate out eg. sciatica) • Change in muscle tone surrounding the vertebrae • There may also be swelling, scar tissue or changes in temperature • Reduced flexibility

The McTimoney method of manipulation is a gentle technique, which aims to restore normal joint motion using musculoskeletal release techniques. These are controlled, rapid, precise thrusts to the misaligned area, in the plane of motion of the joint using only the hands to allow the joint to return to its normal range of motion. The adjustment relies on speed rather than force to overcome the muscles ability to react and unwillingness to move. The adjustment does not necessarily return the vertebra to its specific position, rather it initiates the body's own mechanism of vertebral movement and mechanics.

It is an holistic therapy, which treats the cause of the problem and not just the symptoms. When used as a preventative tool it offers tremendous benefits to our animal athletes.

Manipulation has many benefits for horses to include an increased range of motion in the joints of the neck, back, pelvis and feet, reduction of muscle spasm and pain, restoration of asymmetrical muscle development, reduced stiffness or inability to bend or flex, freedom of movement and increased performance. In dogs, it can help unexplained changes in behaviour, reluctance to exercise, limb dragging, lack of bladder control, difficulty climbing stairs and many more.

It is however important to remember that all therapies have their limitations and McTimoney manipulation is not the solution to all problems.